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We’ve Almost Decided On Presidential Candidate To Support, Wike Hints …I’ll Invest In Education, Healthcare, Infrastructure, Others, Fubara Assures
Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike, has hinted that talks with his political allies on the presidential candidate to support in the February 25 election would soon be finalised.
The governor maintained that the people of the state know their political bearings and would not play second fiddle concerning the general election slated for February 25 and March 11, 2023.
Wike spoke at St. Martin’s Anglican Church, Omagwa Town, venue of the Campaign Flag-off Rally of the Rivers State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ikwerre Local Government Area, yesterday.
The governor explained that Rivers people have been duly sensitised and told to vote the candidates of PDP for governorship, Senate, House of Representatives and state House of Assembly.
He explained that the beauty of the forthcoming election was that it would leave no room for any form of electoral manipulation and intimidation from security personnel.
Wike, allegorically, told the crowd to be sure that all votes must be put in one basket in favour of candidates of the PDP in the state.
“This time, no Army will do anything. No Akin Fakorode will do anything. No police will do anything. Now, it is one man, one vote. All the votes must be in one basket from governorship to House of Assembly. The other one we are concluding. When we conclude, you will be told.
“Nobody should intimidate you. Nobody should tell you any story. We are free born of this country. We are not second class citizens. Nobody can tell us anything. I dare them. Let anybody do any funny thing: We’ll tell them we are from Rivers State.”
He emphasised that it would be a case of one man, one vote, adding that no blackmail can dissuade or thwart the collective resolve of the people on who to support with their votes.
The governor, who urged the people to be calm, maintained that when the final decision of the presidential candidate the state would support would be taken, Rivers electorate would be notified.
“As we finish from here now, you’ll go home and start working before the appropriate time when we will ring the bell. When you hear the bell being rang, know that the decision has been taken.”
Wike explained that governance was not about story telling but in performance that translates into making living easier for the people and seeing them happy.
He said the successes of his administration were what the consolidation team, to be headed by the PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, would consolidate, and therefore, should be elected to continue from where he would stop.
That is why, Wike insisted, that the forthcoming election would be a fight to finish so that those who have now placed themselves as enemies of the state, to sell it for pottage, would be taught a lesson.
Wike told the people of Ikwerre Local Government that in 2015 and 2019, he came to seek their support, made promises and had fulfilled all of them with development projects evenly distributed in all the 13 political wards.
The governor said the members of the consolidation team he was asking the people to vote into power were men and women with capacity to continue the tenets of good governance, and would certainly not disappoint them.
Wike disclosed that the Rivers State Government had awarded contract for the construction of Ubima-Ozuoha Road.
In his speech, Rivers State PDP governorship candidate, Sir Siminialayi Fubara, vowed to invest massively in road construction, schools, hospitals, and security in Ikwerre Local Government Area, when elected governor of Rivers State on March 11.
Fubara also pledged to continue and consolidate on the widely commendable impactful development programmes of the administration of Governor Nyesom Wike in the area.
He said he was part of the administration of Wike that had provided good governance and driven unparalleled infrastructure development agenda.
Fubara pointed out that a vote for him would be an expression of confidence in what Wike had done, which he would consolidate, when elected.
He assured of committing to good governance, providing services to make life better for the citizenry, including delivering more roads, making health facilities offer quality healthcare services, and improving security in Ikwerre Local Government Area.
“We are in a LGA that is very significant to our cause. We came here to ask for your support in 2015, you told us the things you want us to do for you, Governor NyesomWike promised to do them for you, almost eight years later, and you can all attest that we have fulfilled those promises made to you.
“We are here again to seek your support, we are here to tell you that, that faith you had in us in 2015 and 2019 because of our performance, you should also have the same faith in us in 2023, because we will not fail you, we will even do more this time.
“The administration of our Principal and Leader built a model secondary school in the community of the former governor of this state; constructed internal roads in virtually all the communities in this LGA. I will continue from wherever he stops.
“Our mission here is to tell you to continue to support us for continuity and consolidation. We will provide good governance because that is what we stand for and that is what our Principal has provided for you since 2015.
“The few roads that are remaining in Ikwerre Local Government Area will be constructed by us. We will improve on your health services. Governor Wike has been able to tackle insecurity in this LGA; we will improve on that to maintain the peace you are currently enjoying. We will reconstruct and equip more schools in this LGA,” the guber candidate added.
“The few roads that are remaining in Ikwerre, we will do it. Your health services, we will improve on them and upgrade them. On security, you know those days when they kidnap in Elele, they will enter Ubima forest. Today, we have been able to smoke those criminals out and you have peace.”
The Director General of Rivers PDP Campaign Council, Bro Felix Obuah, noted the massive show of solidarity by the people at the rally.
He said Rivers people have witnessed the tremendous performance of Wike in office, adding that voting Sir SiminialayiFubara and other PDP candidates would ensure consolidation of the successes of the Wike-led administration.
Rivers State Chairman of PDP, Amb Desmond Akawor, who presented flags to the various candidates contesting various positions in the Rivers East Senatorial District, described Wike as the leader of the people and emancipator of the downtrodden.
The Chairman of Ikwerre Local Government, Dr. Samuel Nwanosike, warned that those who took Wike for granted would on February 25, realise their great mistake.
In his speech, Chief Mike Elechi said Wike had kept his 2015 and 2019 promises of delivery of development projects.
He vowed that the people had resolved to appreciate him as a father and brother by tripling the votes given to him in 2015 and 2019 to the consolidation team.
Also speaking, the state Commissioner for Education, Prof. ChineduMmom, said those gathered for the campaign rally were all registered voters who, as faithful PDP members, would vote all the candidates of the party.
On behalf of the women, Mrs.OwhuchukuObiandu, noted how Wike had in 2015, promised and ensured that women were brought into mainstream politics in the state.
As a show of gratitude, she said women were well mobilised to vote all PDP candidates in the state.
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Arson: Those Behind It’ll Account For Atrocities -Fubara …Swears In Bipi, Three Others As Commissioners
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has said that his administration will not fold its hands and watch sponsored political thugs run berserk, committing arson in the State.
The Governor, therefore, assured that, working with the Nigerian Police Force and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), measures will be taken to unravel those behind the recent burning of council Secretariats at Ikwerre, Emohua and Eleme Local Government areas, with a view to making them account for their atrocities.
Governor Fubara gave the assurance while swearing in four new commissioners into the Rivers State Executive Council at Government House in Port Harcourt yestersday.
Those sworn in are Hon. Israel Lebura Ngbuelu, PhD; Hon. Evans Bapakaye Bipi; Barrister Otamiri John Ngubo; and Hon. Barrister Benibo Anabraba.
Governor Fubara recalled mentioning when he sworn-in newly elected Local Government Councils’ Chairmen on 6th October, 2024, that there was intelligence on planned mayhem by misguided persons, who had threatened to prevent the elected officers from resuming duties.
True to it, Governor Fubara said, the sponsored political thugs hatched their plans, and burnt valued buildings at some council secretariats.
He said, “I said it before it happened. I knew because they were unhappy, they would go extra miles to create disaffection in the minds and hearts of the good people of Rivers State.
“We want to also let the people know that what has happened (arson) after the election, we are not going to allow it to go uninvestigated.
“A similar event had happened in this manner before, and after some weeks, some of our supporters were declared wanted in order to turn the story around.
“But this time around, I strongly believe, with the support and cooperation of the Nigerian Police and the Directorate of State Services (DSS), we will unravel those behind the assault and make sure that they account for their atrocities.”
Governor Fubara expressed appreciation for the show of patience and calmness by majority of Rivers people despite the fact that they are angry with the reckless acts of the misguided miscreants.
The Governor said he has continued to show leadership, provided the climate that has engendered productive endeavours, and will not mislead those he is leading.
“As your leader; the one steering the ship, I assure you I will not mislead anyone of you. I still stand on the path of peace. We have cases of arson in some local government areas.
“But, I appreciate your calmness. I have always maintained that we are going to be the greatest losers, if we meet them force-for-force. We need to go with peace.
“So, I will encourage everyone of you not to follow them with violence. We are carrying a basket of precious eggs in our hands. So, we need to follow them with carefulness and wisdom.”
Governor Fubara reiterated what he said the previous day on what should matter most for Rivers State, which is a firm support to ensure that the progress of Nigeria is sustained.
He said, if oil theft is not checked, the country’s economy will be badly impacted, and there will not be funds to address critical issues.
“We are in a situation where the fund that is being generated from oil production is not sufficient to tackle the challenges of Nigeria, and every hand has to be on deck to make sure that there is increase in production.
“Our focus here, not minding the distractions, will be how to provide support. You have to work with us to make sure that we curb this issue of oil theft and pipeline vandalisation.
“This is the only way that the allowances (revenue) will increase and more will also come to our State, and more progress will also be achieved in this State.”
Governor Fubara explained that his administration is doing a lot for the good people of the State, that are not being seen because of the political drama that takes their attention away.
He, however, said that his administration is working out modalities, and will soon choose a day, which could probably be before the end of October, 2024, to showcase a few projects and services that have positively impacted lives in the State.
Governor Fubara congratulated the newly sworn-in commissioners for making it into the Rivers State Executive Council.
He explained that more persons whose loyalty are for Rivers people and the administration needed to be admitted into the Rivers State Executive Council to help drive the policy of government because they will not resign their appointment.
Governor Fubara said: “We want to be sure, at this point, who we are adding into the Council, so that we will not wake up one morning and see resignation letter. So, we are taking our time.
“And usually, after a normal political period, there used to be what we call balancing. So, I can also say that the new Commissioners that are coming in are coming from their zones to also balance the political equation.”
Governor Fubara charged them to be dedicated, forthright, diligent and productive while rendering quality services to the State.
The Governor said he believed in their capacity to deliver because of their exposure to the workings of government, and expressed the hope that they will contribute positively to the success of the administration.
He said, “So, let me thank everyone of you. Let me also use this opportunity to thank the good people of Rivers State for their support, and to assure them that we will continue to defend, protect the interest of Rivers people.
“I want to thank everyone of you for your support, more especially before, during and after the elections. I appreciate your doggedness, your belief in our course to salvage this State, to protect the integrity of this State,” he added.
Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HoCSF), Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, has sought media support to fast-track the implementation of the ongoing reforms in the civil service sector.
Walson-Jack made the request during a cocktail organised by her office for media executives from different organisations in Abuja.
The event, according to her, aimed at interacting with the media men one-on-one, appreciate them and implore them to continue to strengthen the bond with the office.
“I want to start by thanking each and everyone of you for honouring this invitation. I want to say that we purposely designed this grail cocktail so that we can have one-on-one interactions.
“Let me also go ahead to thank you for all the supports you have given to the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) in the years past I know that the Fourth Estate of the realm has always supported this office.
“I will also go ahead to thank you for your support, especially at my announcement as the HoCSF and that support has continued, up till date.
“We, therefore, thought it fit that we should organise this event just to interact with you to strengthen the bond that this office has with the media, “ she said.
The HoCSF recalled that her office had continued with programmes she met on ground upon assumption of office, especially the ongoing reforms on Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025).
She, therefore, appealed to the media for continuous reportage on the initiative, so as to give it the necessary publicity for proper dissemination to the citizens.
“You will recall that the office has the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP- 2022 to 2025) and that is the plan that we are still driving.
“We want to request that you collaborate more with us, we are asking that the friendship, the partnership go beyond what it is now to ensure that the reforms which this office is driving get the full publicity it requires,” she said.
Walson-Jack used the medium to announce the preparation to re-introduce the civil service national anthem officially for the entire civil servants to recite at every national programme.
“The anthem has been re-introduced to drive the reforms and it’s expected that the anthem will be sung by all federal civil/public servants and indeed Nigerians.
“And it will be an anthem that will encourage every public servants to be efficient, productive, incorruptible and citizen-centred, “ she added.
Participants at the event congratulated Mrs Walson-Jack for her uplifting to the position of the HoCSF and pledged to continue in the relationship.
In a response, Mr Ephraims Sheyin, Editor-in-Chief, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), pledged the agency’s readiness to give the HoCSF the needed support.
According to him, supporting government policies has always been NAN’ priority as government’s owned media organisation.
“You can take it for granted that we are going to give the Office total support. It is part of our own mandates to support Federal Government policies, so we are going to do that fully for the head of service.
“As she said, she has her policies which are in tandem with the federal government policies, she is asking for the support in implementation of the Federal Government policies.
“She has very lofty ideas, she has lofty things that she believes that we should do. Our job is to make sure that whatever government wants to do, we have to support such policies, “ he said.
Speaking in the same vein, Mrs Halima Musa, Director News, NTA, assured her office’s partnership with the Head of service towards ensuring communicating the needed values on excellence, incorruptibility and new culture of efficiency to the public.
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LG Polls: Rogue Policemen Break RSIEC Gate, Strong Room To Steal Electoral Materials …Fubara Foils Attempt To Cart Away Materials
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has foiled an attempt by the Nigerian Police, led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police (Operations), to take over the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission (RSIEC) at 1am on Friday, 4th October, 2024.
The rogue policemen were said to have attempted to scale through the gates and strong room of the Commission to cart away sensitive Electoral materials meant for the conduct of Saturday’s local government election in the State.
The deployment was said to have been ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
However, the evil plots of the rogue policemen and DC Ops were botched when vigilant security officials alerted principal officers of the Commission and relevant government authorities, who immediately informed the Governor of the development.
The Governor immediately led a team of government officials, lawmakers from the National Assembly and State House of Assembly, top political stakeholders, and other leaders to storm the facility.
Addressing newsmen in front of RSIEC Office on Aba Road in Port Harcourt, after an encounter with the rogue policemen, the State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara condemned the conduct of the policemen on illegal duty, saying that the IGP was taking his friendship with some Abuja-based politicians too far.
He restated the position that the attempt to surreptitiously withdraw policemen already deployed to protect the facility, and replace them with a detachment from a neighbouring State was unacceptable.
He reminded the IGP that local government election was the internal affairs of states, and advised him to allow the federation unit conduct its affairs without interference.
At present, the Chief of Staff, the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly, and State and National Assembly members, alongside other stakeholders, are manning the RSIEC office to ensure that the rogur policemen in two trucks and two Hilux vehicles do not return and that elections will go ahead as scheduled on Saturday.